Do you remember the old Rice Krispy cereal catch phrase, “snap, crackle, pop?” Unfortunate as it is, the majority of us are still hearing this sound in the morning, and it is not because you are pouring milk into your favorite childhood cereal. Today, women across the country are hearing their hair tug, pull and snap when they brush it in the morning. They listen to their locks fizz, sizzle and crackle when they use their curling irons and hair straighteners. Among all else, it seems that they are starting in a never ending charade when they pop the top of their conditioning treatment.

While a good, high-quality conditioning treatment will more than like repair hair damage, these treatments become overused and have less of an effect on the hair follicle as time goes on. Lucky, the answer here is simple: instead over getting caught in the “damaging your hair, repairing your hair, damaging your hair…” cycle, you should be targeting the source of the problem. That is, you should focus on preventing heat damaged hair before it happens!

The only reason that “prevention” sounds difficult is because we live in a nation that focuses on quick (unreliable) fixes, rather than taking the time and effort to care and prevent damage! Although sad, it is true. To help you make a change for the better and prevent your hair from heat damage, before it happens, we have three tips that everyone should follow.

I promise to prevent heat damage by taking care to prepare!
If you know that you are going to be using any kind of heat tool – and yes, we mean any kind, that includes your hair dryer, defuser, flat iron or curling wand – you need to show your locks you care for them by preparing them for the heat. When you are in the shower, be sure to use a high-quality moisturizing and strengthening shampoo and conditioner. Before you get out, give your hair a good rinse with cold water. Experts say that a cold water rinse closes off the cuticle, making the hair less likely break.

I promise to prevent heat damage by providing my hair with protection!
While this should be a no-brainer, it seems that the majority of women neglect the necessary step of applying a heat protectant to their hair before applying the heat. It is strongly recommended that you use a protectant which lists silicon as the main ingredient, as this will act as your hair’s armor against heat.

I promise to prevent heat damage by knowing when enough is enough!
Although this promise may seem the easiest, many women may find it the hardest promise to keep; let me explain: you know your hair is already damaged, right? But does that stop you from using your curling wand again the next day? Probably not. However, it should! If your hair is getting damaged from the use of heat tools, day after day, then it has had enough heat! Give your hair a break!